Not playing has certainly been eating at Edmonton Oilers forward Sam Gagner, but with a busted jaw it’s only the last few days where he’s been able to really chew on things.

“I had a steak last night, tasted just fine,” said the Edmonton Oilers’ centre, who will get his first taste of action Tuesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs after swallowing Zach Kassian’s wild high-stick in exhibition season. It required a plate and six screws to repair the break, not to mention looking like a Jack ‘o Lantern right now minus those four teeth that were excised.

Gagner, who has missed 13 games, will play in the middle, encased in a visor and a football-type face-guard to protect the jaw. He’ll be playing on adrenalin, obviously, alongside Jordan Eberle and Nail Yakupov. His first-month replacement Mark Arcobello (10 assists, plus 3, 53 percent on face-offs) will slide over to right-wing with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and David Perron. It’s expected that Boyd Gordon will centre Ales Hemsky, who took the morning skate off (optional) and Ryan Jones on a third line.

“Sam’s been gnawing at the bone to get back in and had to wait for the doctor’s clearance,” said Oilers’ coach Dallas Eakins, who doesn’t believe in players losing their spot in the lineup because of injury so no matter how well Arcobello has played, he slides over. He’s been a centre most of his hockey career, even going back to college at Yale, but he’s not about to complain.

“I just want to be in the lineup somewhere,” said Arcobello, who has not yet been told to move out of his hotel into an apartment while fourth-line centre Will Acton has–a little strange but he’s in no position to ask why.

The how is the most important thing. His introduction to full-time NHL life has been fairly seamless but the odd off-night.

“It’s been awesome to watch him, he’s helped every winger he’s been with and he’s brought energy to every line he’s been on,” said Gagner, who is appreciative of getting his old job back.

“I’d like to keep him (Arcobello) where he’s been but Sam Gagner is coming back. He’s earned his spot and part of Arco’s challenge going forward is being effecitve on the wing,” said Eakins.

Eakins, who will come back with farmhand Richard Bachman in net against the Maple Leafs, doesn’t believe in breaking in injured guys. If they’re players, they’re players. So Gagner will get lots of work.

“Sam’s one of our top two centres, a guy who brings leadership and character and a work ethic. Also some hockey savvy,” said Eakins.
“We need this guy every night and I hope he’s up to speed right away. He may get the Nugent-Hopkins treatment if he’s going early,” Nugent-Hopkins played 28:12 against New Jersey in a shootout win in his first came back after rehabbing his shoulder.

“I’ve had injuries before where I’ve returned and not known where I slotted in,” said Gagner. “It’s nice playing with two elite wingers; it’ll give me a chance to really play my game. I’d imagine I’d have some growing pains because it’s my first one in a long time but I’m excited for the challenge.”

Gagner, who came to camp at 202 pounds and lost eight or nine pounds, is back up to his September playing weight. But, he’ll have his face heavily protected, and he may have some trouble breathing at first with the apparatus. “I won’t be chewing on my mouth-guard anymore and you know how I like doing that,” he said.

Gagner will have some pain in the jaw for the next few months, but no pain, no gain. The secret will be not taking too many elbows in the jaw of having his face slammed into the boards. “I’ve taken a few shots on it (face-guard). I wanted to test the jaw and the helmet so it would withstand a hit. Nothing can simulate a game but I made sure I put myself in danger in practice so I was confident,” he said.

There will be adjustments. “Seeing the puck in my feet and like I said, not being able to take the mouthguard out,” he said.

Kassian didn’t reach out to Gagner via a text or a phone call but Gagner did see him interviewed where he said he was sorry the Oilers’ forward was hurt. Kassian called it a hockey play. “I don’t know about that,” said Gagner. “It’s in the past. I was focussed on the recovery not on him.”

Forward Anton Lander, who had a good game in Los Angeles Sunday night after being recalled along with goalie Richard Bachman, was sent back to OKCity with Gagner activated off IR. Ryan Smyth (groin) skated with the team Tuesday morning and could play Saturday against Detroit at Rexall Place. Goalie Devan Dubnyk was on the ice too but his sore ankle isn’t healed enough to allow him to back up Bachman, so Jason LaBarbera will. They will keep three goalies here until Dubnyk’s healthy.

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Former Oiler winger Joffrey Lupul (bruised foot) will be a game-time decision for the Leafs. “Hope I’m in. I’ve bought 20 tickets (for people),” said Lupul, who will take the pre-game warmup. Leafs’ coach Randy Carlyle has preached to his players to wear the fibre-glass foot guards to stop the foot ailments and Lupul has given them a shot in practice but he said he wouldn’t wear them in a game. “You can’t take a pass in your skates. The puck bounces right off,” he said. The guards may be more beneficial to defencemen in front of the net.

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